So, should we wear masks during the epidemic or not?

What happened?

As the first reports of a new coronavirus infection appeared, the debate about whether it is necessary to wear medical masks in public places or not does not subside. World Health Organization (WHO) and many other organizations They believe that masks are needed only for medical workers, patients and people who take care of them at home.

However, some specialists and some medical organizations believe that masks should be worn by everyone. And it is even suggested to sew them yourself - "from an old T-shirt". Also recently It became knownthat experts from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are again evaluating the data and may change the recommendations in favor of recommending everyone to wear medical masks.

It is difficult to answer unequivocally the question of whether it is necessary to wear masks Everyone. However, one thing is known for sure: Masks can only protect in situations in which a person coughs at you at a distance of less than two meters. That is why they are necessary for medical workers, who often find themselves in this situation. But they will not protect you from infection through contact with a contaminated surface.

However, supporters of universal wearing of masks believe that they will help reduce the spread of infection due to the fact that people with coronavirus, but without symptoms or before the development of symptoms, will spread it less. Perhaps this is true. But for now Unclear, how actively such people are spreading the virus in general. In addition, most likely, the effect will be noticeable only if all people wear masks, and will do it right.

So it turns out that everyone needs to wear masks?

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed Recommendations about masks: Americans are now advised to wear cloth non-medical masks in public places where it is difficult to maintain social distance (shops, pharmacies, etc.) - but this is not mandatory. The same doctors in the United States recalled that masks in no case should not replace social distancing and handwashing.

The unproven effectiveness of masks is one of the arguments made by those who oppose their widespread use. But you should know that if you are healthy, you can certainly wear a mask when visiting public places, although the effectiveness of masks in such situations has not been officially proven.

Dr. So-Lin believes that an additional benefit of the mask is that It serves as a constant reminder not to touch your face (which also helps prevent the spread of the virus).

What about homemade masks? Are they useless too?

There isn't a great deal of research on the effectiveness of homemade masks in preventing the spread of infection. However, scientists who study airborne diseases can offer some recommendations. The thicker the fabric, the better: Americans are advised, for example, to use a thick cotton T-shirt if they need to make a mask out of materials they have on hand. However, a bandana, for example, may be too thin and may not provide enough protection: it’s better to fold the fabric two or three times. These are the recommendations given by the doctor Lynsi Marr from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

But a mask can't do any harm, can it? Why not wear one?

That's not necessarily true. Masks are very uncomfortable to wear properly: it's hard to breathe in them, and glasses can fog up—and that can lead to them being worn incorrectly. If you don't follow the rules, the masks themselves can become a source of the virus. For example, if you adjust your mask by touching the outside of it and then rub your eyes, this could lead to infection.

At the same time, various experts indicate that masks can create a false sense of security: it’s likely that people, thinking they’re protected, will go out more often, fail to maintain proper distance from others, and engage in other risky behaviors that they wouldn’t otherwise do without a mask.

Okay, so a mask isn't the best protection. What is, then?

The World Health Organization recommends some fairly simple and universal measures, which protect against many viruses:

• I often wash my hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. If there’s no soap available, you can use an antiseptic gel.
• Don't touch your eyes, mouth, or mucous membranes with dirty hands
• Avoid close contact with infected people. Stay at least one meter away from others, especially if they are clearly sick.
• Wipe down surfaces more often using disinfectants
• At the first signs of illness, seek medical care at a healthcare facility

The editorial staff reminds you that during outbreaks and pandemics, it’s best to avoid large gatherings and crowds. If you can, stay home. If not, wash your hands thoroughly and use hand sanitizer frequently: any handrails or doorknobs can spread disease. Take care of yourself and your loved ones, and remember: infections (including, coronavirus) Older people tend to have the hardest time with it, while younger people often have no symptoms.